Chotie Darling

The Rising Sun, Salisbury - 21st and 22nd September 1940

Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22nd September 1940

Salisbury

Wilts

My Darling Cho,

                                    I’m endeavoring to write this in ‘The Rising Sun ' a notorious pub in Salisbury.  There's a hell of a row on here.  The place is full of Uniforms of every description, Polish etc.  I don't suppose you'll be able to read this.  This is my first evening out for over a week.

             I have however some encouraging news this time.  I saw the Major a few days ago.  He’s going to recommend me for a commission in a month’s time.  That is of course, to see the Colonel.  If I pass him, I'll be OK.  The trouble is, however, passing the Colonel.

             As you probably know, all leave has been cancelled.  I can't even get a Sunday pass.  I'll let you know however, if there is any change.

             How terrible it seems, Darling.  You're so near and yet so far.  I'm dying to see you again, if only for a few minutes.  It's just impossible to say how much I miss you, Chotie - but I think of you all the time.  I'm afraid I love you too much to express myself in words.  I hope you can understand and realise Cho. 

 And I'm not tight (yet...).  I hope to be, however, in an hour's time.  I shall be flat broke by Monday as usual -- we always are.

             I'll write some more tomorrow, which I hope will be a genuine day of rest.

 

 Sunday afternoon.

            Du Rose & myself are in the tent at the moment, it’s raining, and we have the afternoon off.  We are endeavoring to recover from last night's spree, having had a hell of a hangover this morning.  We had to go to Church Parade at 9 o'clock this morning, which was rather a blow to us as everything has to be just so.  We managed it, however, without passing out.

             As you may know, all soldiers have to be in billets or barracks by the 30th inst - which means to say we have to move by next week.  There has been a lot of talk lately of Southampton.  This would, I think, be preferable to this place, as there is a little more life and what is much more important, I should be nearer home. 

             I only hope leave will be resumed soon.  I'll be able to get my seven days then.

             I'm afraid I've nothing more of any interest darling except that I still love you all that's possible.  I hope you're being a good girl whilst I'm away.  Eric and I have sworn oaths never to look at another girl.  He has a Jean in Birmingham.

 Well bye bye for now Darling.

 God bless you and keep you safe until I can come and look after you again.

                            Your adoring

                                            Dicker

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Enter du Rose - Sunday 8th September 1940

Bemerton

Sunday evening

 

My Darling Cho,

 

    Thanks for the letter.  I’m so glad you had such a cheerful birthday.  I only wish I could have been home to spend it with you.

 

    I expect you had quite a show last night.  We didn’t get much sleep, if any.  I still don’t know what happened, and I’m afraid I don’t much care.  Once again, I’ve got fed up and am going to move heaven & earth to get back to the ranks and so on to a commission.

 

    There is only one respectable bloke here now.  Actually he’s French, and one of the few Lanerjacks left.  His name’s du Rose and he’s commission crazy.  His Old Man’s a captain and expects him to become one in next to no time. He comes from Birmingham University, where he was endeavouring to secure a B.A.

 

    We are both going to see the Major tomorrow, if we can, to find out data re junior commissions.

 

    We went on the beer last night in Salisbury ending up with a fish & chip supper.  Mon Dieu, were we merry!  Nothing was going to stop us!  We were going to see the Major on Monday and tell him just what we thought of this crowd, and also his abilities as a Major….We swore solemn oaths that nothing on this earth would stop us getting this coveted commission.

 

    I’m afraid we’ve cooled down somewhat today.  However, I do hope something really material will happen tomorrow.  “Qui sait?” as the French say.

 

    Hughes and crowd came over from Dinton on Saturday afternoon to play cricket against our team.  George, of course, was amongst them as usual.  I didn’t know he was quite so old.  He’s nearly twenty, and can I believe get a transfer then.

 

    Well, Darling, I must close now to catch the post (6.30).

 

                                                all my love,

                                                         and definitely all yours

                                                                    Dicker

 

PS.   How long can you possibly hang on with your holiday?

I can’t manage anything for a fortnight I’m afraid. Don’t forget to tell me.

                                                                    Dicker

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Friendless at Bemerton - 29th August 1940

On 28^th August Dick qualified as an Instructor in Physical & Recreational Training.

 

 

 

Letter posted on Thursday 29th August 1940

‘K’ Company

6^th Bath. (HD)

Dorset Regt.

Bemerton

Wilts

My darling Chotie,

                                                    Thanks for the letter.  As you will see from above, I am now at Bemerton again, and don’t I know it.  I arrived here this afternoon to find that ‘G’ company, to which I was attached, has now moved to Dinton, to take the place of ‘D’ who are at Dorchester.  I’m just about fed up as I haven’t a friend in the place now, in fact, apart from the C.S.M.I.*, I don’t know a soul.

 

    Yet another calamity, even greater.  There’s a certain Major here, who is doing his best to stop all week-end leave.  I asked the C.S.M.I. if there was any chance of a pass this week, and his reply was not encouraging.  He said he’d do what he could, but could promise nothing.

 

    I am however putting in for seven days leave, in a few weeks time, ie. after my three months is up.  This should be successful, unless of course all army leave is cancelled, which action seems rather imminent.  Not a very cheerful outlook I’m afraid.

 

    But still, darling, even this ---- army can’t stop me loving you, and after all, that’s all that matters.

   

I heard to-day that Tom was buried when bombs fell close to him at Warmwell.  Apparently he’s OK, but I have heard nothing definite.

 

    Incidentally, it’s a good thing I didn’t try to come on home last week-end, as everyone who went was caught, and put on a charge.  I think they were all reduced to the ranks.  Rather a close shave.

 

   

                                 Well, bye bye for now darling,

                                                        Your devoted

                                                                        Dicker

 

 

*C.S.M.I. = Company Sergeant Major Instructor

 

 

 

 

From the end of August to October 1940

Dick was in ‘K’ company of the 6^th Bath & Dorset Regiment

based at Bemerton, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

Returning to Tidworth - 12th August 1940

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 10^th/11^th August 1940.

 

Tidworth

Monday evening

My darling Cho-cho,

 

            Just a short note to let you know that I arrived OK, and without any trouble.I’m afraid I haven’t a moment to spare as we have ‘voluntary’ apparatus tonight, termed voluntary but actually compulsory.By the time I get back it will be dark, and there are no lights here now.

 

            George was on the bus when I got upstairs, I expect you saw him. We had time for a beer in Salisbury, before going our respective ways.

 

            We got to Salisbury at 8pm, and there wasn’t a bus to Tidworth before 9pm!  This was packed full, so they ran a relief which was also packed.  This miserable bus didn’t pull out till 9.20 and arrived in Tidworth at 10.30.  From there I had about 2 miles to walk to my barracks, which I accomplished successfully by removing my boots and gumshoeing past the guards in the shadows. Quite fun.

 

I must close now darling to get to the gym in time.

 

                                All my love

 

                                            Your devoted

                                                                

                                                            Dicker

 

P.S. You might tell Brinner that I made it O.K. but don’t mention it to the rest of the family.  I have n’t time to write them.  That is of course if you should see him.

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010.

 

 

13^th August 1940 – ‘Eagle Day’, start of the major offensive by the Luftwaffe to destroy RAF airfields.

 

 

Dick met up with Chotie over the weekend of 17^th/18^th August 1940.

 

 

17th August 1940 - Hitler ordered total blockade of Great Britain.

Tidworth P.T. course - 6th August 1940

Letter posted Tuesday 6th August 1940

Southern Command Central Gymnasium

Tidworth

Hants

My Darling Cho-cho,

 

    As you will see from above address, I am now at Tidworth. I regret to say I was swindled as regards this course.  The C.O. told me it was to be a two week course, but here I am told it’s three weeks! – which means I can’t get leave for at least another month.  I’m rather fed up as I’d expected to be home again after a fortnight. There’s a chap here who was in the B.E.F.* and has had 48 hours leave in 10 months!

   

Tidworth is rather like Aldershot.  Rows and rows of barracks with suburban houses alongside for N.C.O.’s wives & children.  As I am now a Junior N.C.O. how about getting married?…

 

The place is like a miniature town, with shops & cinemas – also a swimming-pool.

 

            I had to travel here in full kit, carrying kit-bag, in fact everything that I possess.  I felt quite warm when I got to Salisbury.

   

            Whilst still at Bemerton, I met an interesting bloke of 6ft 4½, who is taking a commission in the guards.  I later found out that his father is Lieutenant-General Sir – Barnes**, who, during the last show, commanded the 4^th Hussars! – and he finds himself in the 6^th Dorsets.

 

    I’m told that life on Devil’s Island is luxury compared with this course. They say it is three weeks of living Hell!  I want my mummy…

 

    I must close now, Darling, as I have to write home as well.

                                            love & kisses

                                                        xxxxx Dicker

 

P.S. Je vous félicite ou votre français. C’est très bien***

P.P.S. I tabulate, herewith, full address (pro tempus):-

    L/CPL Williams R K.

    5731671

    Southern Command

    Central Gymnasium 

    Tidworth, Hants.

 

                        Je t’aime encore de tout mon coeur****

        Dicker

 

*The B.E.F. - the British Expeditionary Force were the army sent across the Channel in September 1939. They were defeated in Western Europe in June 1940 and evacuated from Dunkirk.

**Major General Sire Reginald Barnes KCB DSO

*** “I congratulate you on your French. It’s very good.”

**** “I love you with all my heart”

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

Tom's death - 3rd August 1940

Saturday 3^rd August 1940

Bemerton

Salisbury

Wilts

Saturday afternoon

My Darling Chotie,

 

 

    I’m terribly sorry to hear such sad news about Tom*.  I was only enquiring about him a few moments before I got your letter.  Quite a number of N.C.O.s** here were transferred from the 5^th Batt., and all knew Tom well.

 

    Margaret must feel terrible about it.  I know how I should feel if anything happened to you.  She has at least one consolation, in that he was serving in the Forces, - although that doesn’t bring him back.  I hope you will convey my every sympathy to her.  I’m going to Tidworth on Monday next and will send a card as soon as I get the address there.

 

    I was made Lance Corporal a few days ago.  I was rather annoyed at only getting one stripe but will probably get another after my course.

 

    ‘D’ Company, that is, with the sole exception of myself, is going back to Dinton this afternoon.  I rather think I may be transferred to ‘G’ Company (George’s crowd) after the course.  Unfortunately, Toni & co. are all with ‘D’ Coy and consequently I must say goodbye to them in a few minutes time.  That’s the trouble.  You no sooner make friends, than you lose them.

 

    Ben and I (he’s going for a commission in the Tanks) went on the beer on Thursday evening.  We drank Salisbury quite dry, and had the helluva job to get past the guards.

The sentry with fixed bayonet said “Halt, who goes there!” etc. and Ben, quite tight, shouted “Deutschland über Allez”!, and tried to blow out the light in the guard Tent.  We staggered into the tent, fell over and woke up the next morning still attired in Service dress, gas mask etc.  What a life!

   

It’s now Saturday Evening.  I’m just waiting for six o’clock when I’m allowed out to Salisbury.  I’ve said goodbye to everyone, Toni, Ben & co. who went back to Dinton this afternoon.  They had to march in full kit! and it’s just about a heat wave today.

 

    The showers are now working here, what luxury!  I’ve just had my 6^th today.  Showers & Choties are just two things that make life worth living.

 

    Bye, bye Chubby, Darling 

        Your adoring

        Dicker

 

*Tom was engaged to Chotie’s elder sister Margaret. He was killed in a motorbike accident on manoeuvres.   

 

** N.C.O. = Non-commissioned Officer

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010. 

Salisbury again - 24th July 1940

PS  address 5731671

6^th Dorsets ‘D’ Company

3 platoon

Wilton Rd

Salisbury

Salisbury

Wednesday afternoon

My darling Cho-cho,

    Have just received your letter.  As you will see from above, we have at last moved to Salisbury. We marched the whole way, that is, all except me who went on a bike directing traffic!

   

    We are at present only allowed out one night in four, my turn coming tonight.  We intend to have some fun in Salisbury….

    I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you as regards next week-end.  Owing to the large number of deserters, all leave has been cancelled.  It’s the hell of a nuisance, but I may manage some later on.  There are so many hapless individuals who haven’t had any leave for months.

     

I get a pretty full time now, as many hundreds more have joined up and all have to be trained.  I still haven’t got my stripe, but as there are many Terriers* with ten months’ service still without one I mustn’t be impatient, though I think I’ll have one by my next leave.

   

    I must close now darling to catch the post

    bye bye

    Dicker

* Territorial Army – the volunteer reserve force for the Army.

 

From late July to the end of August 1940

 Dick was in ‘D’ company, and then attached to ‘G’ company,

of the 6^th Dorsets,

based at Bemerton, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire,

but spent most of August on a PT instruction course

at Tidworth in Hampshire

 

© Chotie Darling, 2010

.

The Guildhall, Salisbury - 23rd June 1940

 

 

Sunday 23rd June 1940

 

ENTERTAINMENT OF MEMBERS OF H.M. FORCES

ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

THE GUILDHALL,

SALISBURY 

 

Pte RK Williams

6^th Bath & Dorset Regt.

Quidhampton

Nr Salisbury

Wilts

Darling Chotie,

 

   

     I’m writing this in the Court Room of the Guidhall Salisbury, in the Company of about 200 members of HM Forces.  At least half of these are Australians as the place is packed with them.  I left camp this morning at 9 and do not have to return until 10, this evening.  I hope to come home one of these Sundays as I appear to get Sundays off at present.  I can get a bus to Bournemouth at 9am which gets me in about 11.  I should have to leave again at 6 in the evening, so it would be a case of hail and farewell. 

 

 

I went to the morning service at the Cathedral – the choir was wonderful. 

 

 

There are hundreds of commissions in Salisbury.  I’ve thrown about 200 salutes so far without knocking my hat off.  We wear battle dress, and I managed to get myself a hot overcoat. 

 

 

In this room there are RAF blokes, Aussies, Sailors, Merchant Seamen, and every kind of soldier, but no officers of course.  They dish out envelopes and this paper quite free which explains why I’m using it…  I miss you an awful lot, Chotie, but when I see these Australians who have come thousands of miles and won’t get home for years, I feel it would be selfish to grumble.

   

You can write to the address overleaf if you wish.  Found a Captain yet…?  It is now impossible to get a commission until one is twenty*.  As far as I know it is also impossible to get a stripe.

   

                    I must close for the moment

                                                                                         love (every bit)

 

Dicker

 

 

 

PS Please give my best wishes to all the boys if you should see them and tell them to join anything but the army!

  

 

 

* Dick was eighteen when he joined up and wrote this letter.  At the time only men aged between 20 and 35 were being conscripted.

  

© Chotie Darling, 2010

 

 

25^th June 1940 – The Times reported that the Australian troops, recently arrived in England, were training keenly in ‘a lovely stretch of English countryside’.

Joining Up

Dunkirk, the famous rescue of the defeated Allied Forces trapped on the northern shores of France, took place over ten days leading up to Tuesday 4^th June 1940.

 On that day Winston Churchill addressed Parliament and the nation with these words: 

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”

(Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London on behalf of the Estate of Sir Winston Churchill. Copyright © Winston S. Churchill )

 

On 18th June 1940 Winston Churchill's speech to the House of Commons ended: 

“the Battle of France is over, I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin…

The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age ….

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will say,

 “This was their Finest Hour”.

(Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Ltd, London on behalf of the Estate of Sir Winston Churchill. Copyright © Winston S. Churchill )

 

 

On 21^st June 1940 Richard Kelner Williams, age 18, occupation ‘student’, was enrolled in the British Territorial Army at Weymouth in Dorset and assigned to the 6^th Dorset Infantry Regt, to assemble in the Drill Hall, Wilton Rd, Salisbury.

  

 

 Dick Williams as a cadet in 1939.

 

 

They were ‘the Bath & Dorsets’ then but for June and July Dick was based in Wiltshire at Salisbury, Quidhampton and Dinton.